Battery connector assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors for storage batteries and the like. The illustrated embodiment includes a tapered plug member adapted to contact an internal complementary surface of a metallic battery insert. An internally threaded cap swively supports the upper extremity of the tapered plug member, and a spring washer is interposed between the underside of the cap and an upper surface of the tapered plug.

0 United States Patent [151 3,670,297 Erlenbach 1 June 13, 1972 [54]BATTERY CONECTOR ASSEMBLY FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor:Walt E n Selma, 665,834 9/1929 France ..339/232 [73] Assignee: IllinoisTool Works Inc., Chicago, Ill.

Prlmary Examiner-Joseph l-l. McGlynn Filed: March 1970 Attorney-Olson,Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell [2i] Appl. No.: 16 420 [57] ABSTRACT [52]US. Cl. ....339/232, 339/268 R The present invention relates generallyto electrical connec- [51] Int. Cl ..H0lr 7/08 tors and moreparticularly to electrical connectors for storage [58] Field of Search..339/224240, 268 batteries and the like. The illustrated embodimentincludes a a tapered plug member adapted to contact an internal comple-References cued mentary surface of a metallic battery insert. Aninternally UNITED STATES PATENTS threaded cap swively supports the upperextremity of the tapered plug member, and a spring washer is interposedSchneider between the underside of the cap and an upper surface of the1,791,470 l Runkle t tapered 1,852,366 4/1932 Pietenpol et al......339/232 3,372,361 3/1968 Wengen 339/97 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures1 BATTERY CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY a SUMMARY The invention contemplates abattery connector including a pre-assembled cap and connector plug inwhich the threaded cap is rotatably connected to the plug by means of anaxially extending shank. The cap member may be rotated independently ofthe connector plug supported thereby when the plug is nonrotatablyapplied to a complementary externally threaded metallic battery insert.

.It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and verypractical electrical connector for storage batteries and the like inwhich a connector plug and cap therefore present a pre-assembledconnector unit.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a preassembled capand connector plug, in which a threaded cap supporting an electricalconnector plug may be applied to a complementary externally threadedmetallic battery insert.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an assemblyunit of the type set forth above wherein the cap membermay be rotatedindependently of the connector plug supported thereby and wherein theplug is non-rotatable.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparentinthe following detailed description whenconsidered in connection withthe accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an electrical connector assembly of thetype contemplated by the present invention, said assembly being shownpartly in section, and the connector plug is in contact with thecomplementary internal surface of a metallic battery insert;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1, portions of the'cap being broken away to disclose structures otherwise hidden; in

FIG. 3 is a central vertical sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2, with the connector plug shown in a positionprior to contact thereof with a complementary internal surface of thebattery insert; and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially annularsurface of the plug and the underside of the cap 26.

along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, with a portion of the battery casingbroken away more clearly to illustratethe battery insert and connectorplug associated therewith.

ikefe'rringnow to the drawing more in detail, wherein like numerals havebeen employed to designate similar parts of the various figures, it willbe seen that one embodiment of an electrical connector of the typecontemplated by the present invention is disclosed generally by thenumeral l0.'The connector arrangement 10 is disclosed in associationwith the upper wall of a battery casing 12. The electrical connectordevice 10 includes a metallic or lead insert 14 mounted in a fixedposition within the battery casing 12. The upper extremity of the insert14 projects above the battery casing and is provided with externalthread convolutions 16. The insert 14 is centrally apertured so as toprovide an internal tapered surface 18 for accommodating a complementaryfrustoconical peripheral surface of an electrical connector plug 20.

The upper portion of the connector plug 20 is formed with an annularflange 22, and an integral upwardly extending stud 24 ofreduced-diameter. The upper free extremity of the stud shaft 24 isswively coupled with the underside of a closure member or cap 26. Thisswivel coupling is formed by a peripheral groove 28 in the stud shaft 24which swively accommodates an annular flange 30 formed integral with thecap 26. Extending radially outwardly from the flange 22 of the connectorplug 20 is a cable accommodating extension or shank 32. The extension 32is axially apertured to receive one extremity of an electrical cable 34.It will be noted that the shank 32 extends within and completelytraverses a vertical recess 36 formed in the upper margin of the insert14. By this arrangement the stud 20 is secured against rotation withrespect to the insert M.

The cap 26 is internally threaded to accommodate the external threadconvolutions 16 of the insert 14. A spring or An annular section 40formed integral with and depending from the underside of the cap 26 isdesigned to clampingly engage the upper surface of the spring washer 38as the cap 26 is rotated in a tightening direction.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that as the cap 26 is rotated ina tightening direction from the position shown in FIG. 3, to theposition shown in FIG. 1, the advancing surface of the annular dependingmember or rib 40 will impinge the upper surface of the resilient washermember 38. Suflrcient axial clearance in the swivel coupling between thecap 26 and the upper free extremity of the stud shaft 24 is provided toassure subjection of the spring washer 38 to lateral stress when theperiphery of the connector lug 20 is in contact with the complementarytapered surface 18 of the insert 14. Thus the stressed washer serves tocounteract tendencies for the cup 26 and consequently the connector plug20 to loosen as a result of vibration to which the associated parts maybe subjected. As previously mentioned, the engagement of thelateralcable accommodating extension 32 with the walls defining thevertical recess or slot 36 prevents rotation of the connector plug 20with respect to the insert 14. By having the cap and the connector plugpre-assembled as a unit, the ease with which these parts may be manuallymanipulated is greatly facilitated. The cap which may be made ofsuitable electrically non-conductive plastic material, protects the plugand insert against the accumulation of foreign matter which might impairthe functioning of the connector parts. It will also be apparent thatthe connector parts are of relatively simple construction and capable ofbeing produced very economically.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector for storage battieres and the-like includinga metallic connector plug having a tapered peripheral surface forcontacting a complementary internal surface of a metallic batteryinsert, a rotatable internally threaded cap member for threadedassociation with complementary external thread convolutions of a batteryinsert, said plug including a central upwardly extending shank, theupper extremity of Said shank being coupled with the underside of thecap member, an integral cable accommodating means projecting radiallyfrom the periphery of said plug, a complementary recess in said batteryinsert adapted to receive said radially extending cable means.

2. An electrical connector for storage batteries and the like as setforth in claim 1, wherein a conical type spring washer is interposedbetween the underside of the cap member and an upper surface of theplug, said spring washer including a central aperture surrounding saidupwardly extending shank with said washer being captured on said shankbetween the underside of the cap member and the upper surface of theplug.

3. An electrical connector for storage batteries and the like includingan externally threaded, metallic insert internally apertured toaccommodate a complementary tapered connector plug, said insert havingalongitudinal recess, a metallic connector plug having a taperedperipheral surface for contacting the complementary internal surface ofsaid metallic battery insert, a-rotatable internally threaded cap memberfor threaded association with the external thread convolutions of saidbattery insert, means coupling the upper extremity of said plug withsaid cap member, and integral cable accommodating means protectingradially from the periphery of said plug and extending through therecess in said battery insert.

4. An electrical connector for storage batteries and the like as setforth in claim 3, wherein the battery insert issubstantially'cylindrical and wherein the threads thereof are adaptedfor positioning externally of the upper surface of the battery case, thewall of said insert in the vicinity. of the external thread convolutionsbeing traversed by said recess.

5. An electrical connector for storage batteries and the like as setforth in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal recess is in the nature of anopen ended slot extending from the upper extremity of a wall of theinsert to a depth which is sufficient to accommodate the radiallyprojecting cable accommodating means.

I k k

1. An electrical connector for storage battieres and the like includinga metallic connector plug having a tapered peripheral surface forcontacting a complementary internal surface of a metallic batteryinsert, a rotatable internally threaded cap member for threadedassociation with complementary external thread convolutions of a batteryinsert, said plug including a central upwardly extending shank, theupper extremity of said shank being coupled with the underside of thecap member, an integral cable accommodating means projecting radiallyfrom the periphery of said plug, a complementary recess in said batteryinsert adapted to receive said radially extending cable means.
 2. Anelectrical connector for storage batteries and the like as set forth inclaim 1, wherein a conical type spring washer is interposed between theunderside of the cap member and an upper surface of the plug, saidspring washer including a central aperture surrounding said upwardlyextending shank with said washer being captured on said shank betweenthe underside of the cap member and the upper surface of the plug.
 3. AnelectrIcal connector for storage batteries and the like including anexternally threaded, metallic insert internally apertured to accommodatea complementary tapered connector plug, said insert having alongitudinal recess, a metallic connector plug having a taperedperipheral surface for contacting the complementary internal surface ofsaid metallic battery insert, a rotatable internally threaded cap memberfor threaded association with the external thread convolutions of saidbattery insert, means coupling the upper extremity of said plug withsaid cap member, and integral cable accommodating means protectingradially from the periphery of said plug and extending through therecess in said battery insert.
 4. An electrical connector for storagebatteries and the like as set forth in claim 3, wherein the batteryinsert is substantially cylindrical and wherein the threads thereof areadapted for positioning externally of the upper surface of the batterycase, the wall of said insert in the vicinity of the external threadconvolutions being traversed by said recess.
 5. An electrical connectorfor storage batteries and the like as set forth in claim 3, wherein thelongitudinal recess is in the nature of an open ended slot extendingfrom the upper extremity of a wall of the insert to a depth which issufficient to accommodate the radially projecting cable accommodatingmeans.